The coaching agreement

Description of Coaching: Coaching is partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximise personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals. 

 

1)  Coach-Client Relationship:

 

A. Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coaching Federation “(ICF)”. www.coachingfederation.org/ethics. It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behaviour. 

 

B. Client is solely responsible for creating and implementing his/her own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and his/her coaching calls and interactions with the Coach. As such, the Client agrees that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the Coach. Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease. 

 

C. Client further acknowledges that he/she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time. 

 

D. Client acknowledges that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve different areas of his or her life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. The Client agrees that deciding how to handle these issues, incorporate coaching principles into those areas and implementing choices is exclusively the Client’s responsibility. 

 

E. Client acknowledges that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association and that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals and that it is the Client’s exclusive responsibility to seek such independent professional guidance as needed. If Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, it is recommended that the Client promptly inform the mental health care provider of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship agreed upon by the Client and the Coach. 

 

F.  The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program. 

2)  Schedule & Fees:

The fee should be agreed and paid for in advance at least 48 hours prior to the first appointment.

 

Client agrees that it is the Client's responsibility to notify the Coach at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled calls/meetings. Coach reserves the right to bill Client for a missed meeting. 

Should the Client pay in advance for block of coaching sessions and decide not to complete the course, they will be eligible for a refund, on request, for the remaining sessions, providing at least 48 hours notice prior to the next scheduled appointment.

3)  Procedure:
 

The time of the coaching meetings and/or location will be determined by Coach and Client based on a mutually agreed upon time. If Zoom is used, the Coach will arrange all scheduled calls and send a link to the Client for them to use at the agreed time. The calls/meetings shall last 55 minutes.

 

4)  Confidentiality:

This coaching relationship, as well as all information (documented or verbal) that the Client shares with the Coach as part of this relationship, is bound by the principles of confidentiality set forth in the ICF Code of Ethics. However, please be aware that the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (like the medical and legal professions) and thus communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognised privilege. The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written consent. The Coach will not disclose the Client’s name as a reference without the Client’s consent.

Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client; (b) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry; (c) is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client; (d) is independently developed by the Coach without use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information; or (e) the Coach is required by statute, or by court order to disclose; (f) is disclosed to the Coach and as a result of such disclosure the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and (g) involves illegal activity.  The Client also acknowledges his or her continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.

 

 5)  Privacy/Data Protection

 

A. The Coach and the Client will each of them comply as appropriate with applicable privacy/data protection legislation (including GDPR), binding court order, judgement or decree, guidance, codes, policy or standards.

 

B. With regard to processing personal data/personal identifiable information (“data”) in relation to the Client, the Coach will: process such data lawfully (on an appropriate basis including but not limited to consent, or to comply with the Coach’s legal or regulatory obligations, or for contractual performance, or for the Coach’s legitimate interests), fairly and in a transparent manner; collect such data for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further process such data in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; ensure that such data is adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed; maintain such data accurately; keep such data for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data are processed; process such data in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organizational measures; maintain records of such data processing under applicable privacy/data protection legislation requirements; share such data with third parties who the Coach will inform the Client about; concerning such data, observe the Client’s privacy/data protection rights under applicable privacy/data protection legislation requirements, which may be subject to some conditions and exceptions; process such data for marketing purposes under applicable privacy/data protection legislation requirements; in case of a security breach concerning such data, where requirements of applicable privacy/data protection legislation are met, notify a regulatory or supervisory authority, board or other body responsible for administering privacy/data protection legislation, and the Client of the data security breach; and, where it is necessary for the Coach to transfer such data internationally the Coach will comply with applicable privacy/data protection legislation requirements designed to ensure the privacy of such data.

 

C. In connection with any infringement by the Coach of applicable privacy/data protection legislation requirements, including a security breach, concerning personal data/personal identifiable information in relation to the Client, the Coach’s entire liability under this Agreement and the Client’s exclusive remedy shall be limited to the amount actually paid by the Client to the Coach under this Agreement for all coaching services rendered through and including the termination date.

 

6)  Record Retention Policy: (Optional, if the Coach as adopted such a policy)

The Client acknowledges that the Coach has disclosed his/her record retention policy with respect to documents, information and data acquired or shared during the term of the Coach-Client relationship. Such records will be maintained by the Coach in a format of the Coach’s choice (print or digital/electronic) for a period of not less than three years.  

7)  Termination:

Either the Client or the Coach may terminate this Agreement at any time providing 48 hours written notice. Client agrees to compensate the Coach for all coaching services rendered through and including the effective date of termination of the coaching relationship. 

8)  Limited Liability:

Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied with respect to the coaching services negotiated, agreed upon and rendered. In no event shall the Coach be liable to the Client for any indirect, consequential or special damages. Notwithstanding any damages that the Client may incur, the Coach’s entire liability under this Agreement, and the Client’s exclusive remedy, shall be limited to the amount actually paid by the Client to the Coach under this Agreement for all coaching services rendered through and including the termination date. 

9)  Entire Agreement:

This document reflects the entire agreement between the Coach and the Client, and reflects a complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The Agreement may not be amended, altered or supplemented except in writing signed 

10) Waiver:

The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.

 

11) Binding Effect: 

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon the payment of the first session at which stage the coaching agreement will commence.